INDIANAPOLIS -- Indiana University received a record $603.9 million in grants and awards for research and other sponsored programs during the 2009-2010 fiscal year, IU President Michael A. McRobbie announced today (Aug. 19).

The new record amount surpasses the previous mark of $525.3 million set during the 2007-2008 fiscal year and includes new highs for amounts received from federal, state and non-profit sources (excluding foundations). Overall, income from grants and awards for research was up 28.7 percent over the $469.4 million IU received last year.

"This achievement is one Indiana University faculty, staff, researchers and students should take great pride in," McRobbie said. "To note a record rise in external grants at a time of unprecedented financial uncertainty in this country is evidence of the remarkable productivity and creativity from what is the lifeblood of any premier research university, that being its people."

McRobbie pointed out that IU faculty researchers submitted more than $1 billion in research proposals during the fiscal year.

"The fact that they set a new record for awards received confirms that they are in the forefront of one of the most competitive environments for research funding that we have ever experienced in higher education," McRobbie said. "Every research dollar that they bring in not only translates into a stronger university but also helps strengthen the economy throughout the state."

Federal agencies contributed a record $318.5 million, exceeding the previous high of $263.5 million set in 2008, as did the state of Indiana, which provided a record $49.2 million, surpassing the previous high of $45.9 in 2007. Non-profits combined to set a new record of $48.8 million, up from last year's previous high of $47.1 million. The federal funding includes awards under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

The National Institutes of Health led all grantors by awarding IU more than $196.4 million during fiscal year 2010, including $8.4 million to the IU School of Medicine (IUSM) for a new research facility at Riley Hospital for Children in Indianapolis, $4.2 million for the Indiana Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute and $2.2 million for the Pharmacogenetics Research Network and Knowledge Base.

The Lilly Endowment provided $65.9 million to IU, including the university's largest single gift, $60 million, for the Translational Science Initiative at IUSM, while the National Science Foundation made awards of $47.5 million to IU, including its largest single award of $2.8 million to the university for an experimental high-performance computing network called FutureGrid.

New Vice President for Research Jorge V. José noted that IU's research awards will play a significant role in catalyzing future innovative and creative work throughout the university, and help solve some of the most significant state and national challenges of the 21st century.

"Each element of this year's record funding contributes to future success," he said. "ARRA funding, whether for the renovation of the Wells Research Center in Indianapolis or for specific research projects across the IU system, will help IU faculty members be more competitive in future proposals."

IU's Indianapolis campus saw its award income increase nearly 40 percent over the previous year to just over $400 million, while the Bloomington campus saw its award income jump 14.6 percent to $158 million. IU East led all other campuses with $6 million in awards.